6 minutes agoWorld Cup 2022: Ukrainian fans discover which nationals will support
Periskopi(4 years ago)
(4 years ago)For some people in Ukraine, football has become a welcome distraction from the endless sirens of air strikes, attacks by Russian missiles, and other harsh realities of war. And while the interest for the 2022 World Cup may be more silent than usual, devoted fans look forward to the tournament. Volodymyr Maklyakov, [...]
And while the interest for the 2022 World Cup may be more silent than usual, devoted fans look forward to the tournament.
Voldymyr Maklyakov, a 26-year-old fan of the Kharkiv-born Manchester City, but now living in western Ukraine, says that although he hasn't felt any emotion “in preparing the big event, he will do everything he can to watch the games, reports Al Jazeera.
Maklyakov would have supported his beloved Ukrainian national, if he did not lose his qualifications after losing Wales in a playoff game. Instead, like many Ukrainian football fans this World Cup, he will root for Poland and England in gratitude for their support during the war.
“I am very grateful to Poland because they are helping Ukraine,” Maklyakov told Jazeera, adding that there have been many examples of the Polish football team showing solidarity with Ukraine.
Igor Novikov, a former adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a life fan of Blackburn Rover, said support for Poland is “without thinking” because both nations enjoy “a brotherhood”.
